” For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
As I look around today, I see this passage of Scripture so clearly coming to pass. Perhaps there have always been many with itching ears, but I think that it is much worse in these last days. Are these people truly saved? How can they be so deceived? Did they attempt to come to God via the well traveled and very wide gate that God warns us to avoid? How can someone who has the Holy Spirit living within them want their ears to be tickled with heresies? Where is the discernment?
It makes no sense.
When I was drawn by the Lord in 1983, it was a powerful and supernatural event. I had searched for the truth about God for most of my life. On that unforgettable night, He opened my eyes and my heart, and I remember saying to the person sharing salvation with me, “This is it. It’s so clear to me now!”
I am not saying that we all have to have a dramatic two feet off the floor experience. But I do believe that it should be a memorable time when a person finally realizes that he/she is a wretched sinner – unable to save themselves and that God is HOLY and HE does the saving.
Our Need for the Word of God
Another thing I remember is that I could not get enough of His Word. I would forget to eat food because I was immersed in His Word, and could hardly break away from it. I was told to start with the Gospel of John and I did. Then I went through all four gospels. His Holy Word became the most important thing in my life.
I knew that when I went to church, I should be hearing about sin and repentance. It was ALL about Jesus and Him crucified, and the love that sent Him to that cross. I yearned to hear a preacher open up the Word to me in a deeper way. The couple who had led me to the Lord were charismatic, so I went to my first church with them.
Where Was Preaching About Sin and Repentance?
I was brand new in Christ, but I still knew that the sermons I was hearing were leaving me empty. One Sunday night I saw Charles Stanley preaching on TV, and I considered him a gift from Jesus at that time of my walk with Him. When he preached, he backed everything up with Scripture. He spoke of sin and repenting and growing in Christ. I considered him to be my pastor in those early years.
Wolves in the Pulpit
The heretical pastors with mega churches need itching ears to stay in business. I call it a business because that is what it is. When I see Joel Osteen and his lovely wife (she is pretty) standing up in front of 30,000 fans, telling them that God just wants them to be happy happy, happy -it makes me sad and it makes me sick. WHERE does it say in God’s Word that He just wants us to be happy? But the tithes are paid and the ears tickled and everyone seems satisfied. But my Bible says that we will also have tribulation in this life (John 16:33).
The Word of Faith preachers love the itching ears. They preach that if their members will give sacrificially, that God will surely pour out financial blessings upon them – two and three fold. So the little old lady who is on Medicare gives Kenneth Copeland her last twenty dollars, and goes without food for a week – but she is still waiting for that magical payment from heaven. It makes me want to SCREAM!
Are these people saved but extremely shallow and immature? Or is it possible that they never were saved in the first place? I can’t make that call, but it distresses me greatly to watch people who name the name of Jesus as their Savior, following after false teachers who preach a different gospel.
I do know that the false teachers will be judged harshly.
James 3:1 clearly states it:
“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”
Steven Ben DeNoon
It is shocking to me when I meet Christians who follow this man, Steven Ben Denoon AKA Steven Ben Nun AKA Steven Nun……there are many other aliases for this man. He preaches what he calls a “Humane Gospel” and in it he declares to his followers that they are never to eat animals or even fish. He speaks of the “Gospel of the Holy Twelve.” He also teaches his followers Hebrew Roots. This man is a menace to the Word of God and to the Body of Christ!
From gotquestions.org [1]
“Again, God gave humanity permission to eat meat after the flood (Genesis 9:3). In the Old Testament law, the nation of Israel was commanded not to eat certain foods (Leviticus 11:1-47), but there was never a command against eating meat. Jesus declared all foods, including all kinds of meat, to be clean (Mark 7:19). As with anything, each Christian should pray for guidance as to what God would have him/her eat. Whatever we decide to eat is acceptable to God as long as we thank Him for providing it (1 Thessalonians 5:18). “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).”
When I was reading about Steven DeNoon’s life, he spoke of many people who are against him. He provided his email address and asked that anyone who wants to publish statements questioning his teaching, to please email him first. I did exactly that. I wrote to him and told him that I am a writer and that I wanted to speak with him about his teachings. He never responded.
Two videos about Steven DeNoon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzSjlXwXQGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXdIIPoCjrM
When I speak truth about false teachers to their followers, I am attacked and accused of judging. We will go in circles about this, but it always comes back to being told that I am a judgmental and mean-spirited person. I always show them the Scriptures which clearly condemn the heresies, but they will not look at God’s Word; or if they do look, they take it completely out of context. Sometimes I feel like ignoring these types, but then I remember that the Lord wants us to always speak truth.
If you have repented and trusted Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, but you are following false teachers – PLEASE go the Word of God and compare that which you are being told against the inerrant and perfect Word of God.
Be a Berean:
“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:10-11).
I pray that many eyes will be opened to the truth of the Word of God, and that they will see that they are being taught heresies.
WAKE UP!
MARANATHA!
All articles may be viewed at grandmageri422.me
[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-Christian-vegetarian.html